Many people loved––or hated––the the quirky yet capable Subaru Baja. Compact pickup trucks are a booming segment these days. Subaru would be crazy not to want a piece of the pickup truck pie. Surely they’ve brainstormed a concept or two to squeeze into the segment. Is there a new Subaru pickup truck on the horizon?

So far, Subaru has not released any official press in terms of a new pickup truck. There have been rumors, however. Plus, it’s just way too fun to speculate.

Whether it’s based on the Subaru Outback, the Subaru Ascent, or a Subaru VIZIV concept, a Subaru pickup truck would be a welcome addition to the compact pickup truck segment. Hopefully, if it comes to fruition, a new Subaru pickup truck will stick around a little longer than previous models like the Subaru Baja (2003-2006). That said, it may deviate from the uniquely niche style of the Baja compact unibody pickup and take some notes from other popular compact pickup trucks.

The 2021 Subaru Baja

According to 2020 Pickup Trucks, the 2021 Subaru Baja pickup truck comeback is rumored. Their report says that “According to some sources, there is a big chance to see the new model in the near future, maybe already as 2021 Subaru Baja Pickup Truck.” While rumors are seldom even close to the whole truth, they have to start somewhere. We’d like to think this one comes at least a little rooted in reality.

If it actually is a 2021 Subaru Baja rather than an all-new truck, we’ll most likely see it based on the Subaru Outback platform. It may borrow some styling from competitors, such as the Nissan Frontier or the Toyota Tacoma. Yet, it will most likely have a style that is uniquely Subaru Baja-esque.

However, we can still get excited about a modern redesign of the Baja. There is really no telling how it will look. We are going to assume that Subaru learned its lesson from the Baja compact pickup of old. A 2021 Subaru Baja will probably appeal to an audience that’s a bit more mainstream.

Unibody platform

A new Subaru pickup may not be a Baja at all. One spec we can reasonably assume, however, is that it will probably sit on a unibody platform. This way, it will come onto the scene as a new competitor for the Honda Ridgeline. A trend in unibody pickup truck construction may pan out, especially if a unibody Subaru truck is released and sees success.

Pickup Truck News speculates that the new Subaru truck will share much in common with the Subaru Ascent crossover SUV. As a compact pickup truck, the Ascent will make a good base for a small truck design. But it could also turn out based on one of Subaru’s past concepts such as the one of the VIZIV models.

Will Subaru make a pickup truck?

Right now, no one knows. Well, Subaru knows, but lips are sealed at this point in time. In terms of a new Subaru truck, we are left to hope and speculation.

Though it wouldn’t be a bad move on their part, considering the success of the compact pickup truck segment. With other new trucks on the horizon such as redesigns of existing trucks such as the Ford Ranger or the Chevy Colorado. Plus, other new releases of old models such as the Dakota pickup truck.

Subaru may be gearing up to jump into the race. But until an official press release, we will have to stick to existing compact pickup trucks like the Honda Ridgeline or the Nissan Frontier. If Subaru does release a new unibody pickup truck, the Ridgeline better watch out.